Stevens ecstatic after first taste of F1

Formula Renault 3.5 series driver Will Stevens is ecstatic after getting his first taste of F1 machinery with the Caterham team at the Silverstone Young Driver Test.

The British driver had the whole day to himself and spent his time conducting aero work before testing parts and completing set-up changes in the afternoon.

He completed 98 laps on day two, the most of all the runners, and finished 13th in the results.

Speaking in a statement after the experience he said: “It’s been a really good day and I want to thank everyone who’s helped make my first run in a F1 car happen. For me the main focus of the day was learning as much as I could. It was obviously my first time driving the F1 car and even though I’d prepared for the test with simulator sessions and time back the factory, nothing really prepares you for the step up in performance compared to what I’ve been racing so far, and the whole track setup.

“However, to be honest, it didn’t take long to start feeling comfortable in the car. In the early runs we were mainly focusing on aero work, so it was all about working to the very precise plan the engineers set, and then, from mid-morning, we started looking at more normal test work – setup options, different bodywork, all the test items the team needed to work through for the races to come.

“We stopped for lunch after nearly 50 laps and I was feeling good, ready to get straight back in and carry on! The afternoon session was much the same – we tried a few different setups and then ended with more aero work.”

Stevens then summed up the day overall and revealed that he has no time to reflect on the day as he is off to Austria to race in the Formula Renault 3.5 series this weekend: “Overall it’s been a really good day, one where I think I did just what the team wanted and learned a lot. I’m off straight away to the next World Series round in Austria, but I can’t wait to get back into an F1 car!”

Jack Leslie is a freelance motorsport journalist. He has been part of the Richland F1 team since the very start and made his debut in the F1 paddock for the website at the 2014 Austrian Grand Prix. Jack also writes for Car Throttle and RumbleStripNews, as well as running a popular blog.